Medication container package



Feb. 6, 1968 H. W. NELSON MEDICATION CONTAINER PACKAGE Filed Oct. 25,1965 IN V EN TOR.

HOWARD W. NELSON ATTORNEYS United States Patent 3,367,484 MEDICATIONCONTAINER PACKAGE Howard W. Nelson, 3870 W. Warren, Detroit, Mich. 48208Filed Oct. 23, 1965, Ser. No. 503,302 4 Claims. (Cl. 206-42) The presentinvention relates to improvements in a container package for medicationpills, tablets, capsules and the like, characterized by provisions forencasing within a transparent cap or body portion of the container oneor more such tablets or capsules, at the time the description isoriginally filled, so that when the container is returned forre-filling, with the thus encased pill or pills intact, the pharmacistmay easily and quickly identify the prescription, and re-fill the samewith confidence without need to refer to written prescription records.

I am aware that it has previously been proposed to place in a smallcompartment of a larger container, some amount of a material orsubstance corresponding to what is packaged in the latter. In some casesthe small sample is used before the main contents are consumed. In otherinstances, the substance in the supplemental container is to be added tothe main contents, or the auxiliary member is to be used in some way oranother independently of the main receptacle. In others, the auxiliarycontent must be freed or removed before the main compartment is entered.

However, the present invention contemplates a composite container orreceptacle, in which the content of an auxiliary compartment isoriginally supplied by the pharmacist, when filling the prescription,and is then covered or enclosed by the pharmacist, to remain closeduntil the container is returned for re-filling of the prescription,aided by visual inspection of the auxiliary content, as mentioned above.For the user or patient to remove the auxiliary sample would defeat thepurpose of the present invention; and the compartmented container isintended to be returned repeatedly for re-fill prescription withoutdisturbing the sample.

In one embodiment of the invention, the auxiliary receptable portion isprovided in a removable container cap which, if not wholly transparent,has a transparent cover disc across the space therein in which thesample pill, tablet or capsule is housed. In another embodiment, thesupplemental enclosure is defined at the bottom of the main container orreceptacle member, as by a transparent disc thrust down into the latteradjacent the bottom thereof to seal off the sample content. In either ofthese adaptations, it is the intent of the invention that theidentifying auxiliary content be visible from the exterior of thecontainer proper, and preferably be permanently or semipermanently heldin place against removal by the user.

In general, it is an object of the invention to provide a medicationpackage including a container body, proper, and a preferablytransparent, supplemental disc-like or equivalent member applied eitheron or in the body, or a closure for the latter, to at least in partdefine an auxiliary compartment in which a sample or specimen of anonliquid medication is at least semi-permanently enclosed.

As a further consideration, in the event that a patient finds itdesirable, or necessary to maintain the medication container on hisperson, the container, even though empty other than as to itssub-compartmented specimen, serves as a physical means for identifyingthe carrier. Thus, in the event of incapacity due to accident or attack,his name is made known by the container label to a doctor or hospital orambulance personnel, and the nature of the medication which he requires.The container is also of use in continuing the re-filling ofprescriptions in the event of a change of doctors by the user, or in anyother comparable event.

3,367,484 Patented Feb. 6, 1968 ICC The foregoing as well as otherobjects will become more apparent as this description proceeds,especially when considered in connection with the accompanying drawingillustrating the invention, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an embodiment of the improved medicationcontainer, shown partially inverted, in which the supplemental orauxiliary sample compartment is a part of a cap or closure for thereceptacle, proper;

FIG. 2 is a view in diametral, axially extending cross section throughthe container of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view, also partially inverted, in which thesample sub-receptacle is incorporated in the main container adjacent thebottom of the latter; and

FIG. 4 is a view in axially extending, diametral cross section throughthe container of FIG. 3.

As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, a first embodiment of the container of theinvention, generally designated by the reference numeral 10, com-prisesa main cylindrical container body 12, which may be of a transparent,translucent or opaque plastic material, shaped in conventional fashionto provide a beaded neck 14 of somewhat lesser diameter than the body,the internal throat of which is frictionally engaged and sealed by acylindrical intermediate portion 16 of a plastic cap or closure,generally designated 18. These parts, plus an additional component ofclosure 18, constitute the entirety of container 10.

This closure may have a frustoconical inner nose 20 facilitatingapplication to container neck 14, the nose being spanned by an integralinner wall 22. Closure 18, like the body 12, may be molded in aconventional fashion from a transparent, semi-transparent or opaqueplastic material, and conventionally includes an integral annular flange24 adapted to seat downwardly upon the top bead of the container bodyneck 14, the flange 24 presenting an upwardly facing annular flat rimsurface 26, as shown in FIG. 2.

At the time of original filling of the prescription, the pharmacistplaces in the internal space of cover or closure 18 one or more actualspecimens 28 of the pill, tablet, capsule or other medication of theoriginal prescription, of course filling the body 12 randomly and inbulk with the amount of such prescription desired.

The pharmacist then selects a transparent plastic circular disc 30 froma supply of different sizes for different sizes and shapes of containerclosure 18, then thrusts the disc down into the annular upright wall 32of closure 18 surrounding its rim surface 26. As thus engaged downwardlyon that surface, frictional engagement of the disc with the wall 32 maybe relied on to hold disc 30 in place. In the alternative, an adhesivemay be employed or, by preference, the wall 32 may be formed to providea small circular, radially inwardly projecting retainer bead 34, beneathwhich the disc 30 will snap into place and be held against removal, savepossibility by distortion or destruction of the disc. As is clear fromthe above description, the specimen medication piece 28 remains sealedwithin the closure 18, for quick visual identification of itscomposition by the pharmacist when the otherwise empty container 10 isreturned for filling.

FIGS. 3 and 4 illustrate an alternative embodiment of the containerimprovement, generally designated by the reference numeral 36, in whichthe body 38 is truly cylindrical internally throughout its entire axiallength, being covered by a snap-on type closure 40 having an annularflange 42 engaging beneath the top annular bead 44 surrounding thecontainer mouth. As before, container body 38 and closure 40 may bemolded conventionally of a transparent, semi-transparent or opaqueplastic material.

In this modification, a transparent plastic retainer disc 46 is thrustdownwardly in frictional engagement with the cylindrical container wallinto place over one or more specimen medication pieces 48 resting on thebottom of the container body; and, if desired or necessary, may be heldin place by an annular internal bead 50 of the container wall, pastwhich the disc snaps into place. Alternative holding means arecontemplated; and the mode of use of the receptacle or container 36 isexactly the same as in the first embodiment 10, the sample or samples 48being originally encased and covered by disc 46, to remain soencasedthroughout the intended life of the container, with the latterconstituted in its entirety by body 38, disc 46 and closure 40.

It is seen that the invention affords embodiments in whichsub-compartment defining means, in both cases including a transparentdisc, are assembled in a similar fashion for use in common, thoughspecifically, different ways. The cost of the improved units is minimal,considering the fact that factory assembly of the closure discs 30 or 46is not involved; the production costs thus represent normal moldingmaterial and molding equipment factors; and pharmacists will welcome theability to promptly, easily and reliably re-fill the prescriptionwithout consultation of written prescription records.

As indicated above, the improved container, even though carried empty onthe person of the user, will serve to identify him to a doctor or tohospital, ambulance or pharmacy personnel in the event of a disablingaccident, or some other such contingency.

What I claim as my invention is:

1. A refillable medication package, comprising a container affording amain space, a quantity of non-liquid medication pieces disposed randomlyand in bulk in said main space, said container including a body memberand a removable closure member for said body member, means coacting withsaid container to at least in part define a closed supplemental spacewholly within one of said members the interior of which is visible fromthe container exterior, said means, body member and closure memberconstituting the entirety of the container, and at least one non-liquidspecimen piece identical to said pieces in said main space, saidspecimen piece being at least semi-permanently enclosed in saidsupplemental space and visible from the exterior thereof to identify thenature of pieces to be refilled in said main space upon depletion of thelatter, said specimen piece being wholly confined in said supplementalspace, hence proof against unintended or inadvertent removal therefrom,whether or not said closure is removed from said body.

2. A package in accordance with claim 1, in which said closure memberaffords said supplemental space, said closure member having a memberseparate therefrom and fixedly applied thereto to cover saidsupplemental space.

3. A package in accordance with claim 1, in which said closure member ishollow to afford said supplemental space, said closure member having atransparent member separate therefrom and fixedly applied thereto fromthe outer side thereof to cover said supplemental space.

4. A package in accordance with claim 1, in which said supplementalspace is within said container body member above a transverse bottomwall of the latter, said supplemental space being covered from above bya transparent closure disc.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,844,189 2/1932 Stuart 206-421,879,517 9/1932 Rowbotham 206-47 2,534,815 12/ 1950 Fields 206-422,766,796 10/1956 Tupper 22023 2,936,089 5/1960 Goldfarbe et al 220-232,941,689 6/1960 Black 220--23 r WILLIAM T. DIXSON, JR., PrimaryExaminer.

THERON E. CONDON, Examiner.

1. A REFILLABLE MEDICATION PACKAGE, COMPRISING A CONTAINER AFFORING AMAIN SPACE, A QUANTITY OF NON-LIQUID MEDICATION PIECES DISPOSED RANDOMLYAND IN BULK IN SAID MAIN SPACE, SAID CONTAINER INCLUDING A BODY MEMBERAND A REMOVABLE CLOSURE MEMBER FOR SAID BODY MEMBER, MEANS COACTING WITHSAID CONTAINER TO AT LEAST IN PART DEFINE A CLOSED SUPPLEMENTAL SPACEWHOLLY WITHIN ONE OF SAID MEMBERS THE INTERIOR OF WHICH IS VISIBLE FROMTHE CONTAINER EXTERIOR, SAID MEANS, BODY MEMBER AND CLOSURE MEMBERCONSTITUTING THE ENTIRETY OF THE CONTAINER, AND AT LEAST ONE NON-LIQUIDSPECIMEN PIECE IDENTICAL TO SAID PIECES IN SAID MAIN SPACE, SAIDSPECIMEN PIECE BEING AT LEAST SEMI-PERMANENTLY ENCLOSED IN SAIDSUPPLEMENTAL SPACE AND VISIBLE FROM THE EXTERIOR THEREOF TO IDENTIFY THENATURE OF PIECES TO BE REFILLED IN SAID MAIN SPACE UPON DEPLETION OF THELATTER, SAID SPECIMEN PIECE BEING WHOLLY CONFINED IN SAID SUPPLEMENTALSPACE, HENCE PROOF AGAINST UNINTENDED OR INADVERTENT REMOVAL THEREFROM,WHETHER OR NOT SAID CLOSURE IS REMOVED FROM SAID BODY.